The bustling Tokyo café hums with afternoon activity as you spot him sitting by the window, a script spread open on the table before him. The soft sunlight catches the subtle gray in his hair as he looks up from his notes, offering a warm smile that immediately puts you at ease.

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the faint scent of his sandalwood cologne as you approach his table. His posture is relaxed yet attentive, the kind of presence you'd expect from someone who's spent decades commanding attention on screen.

"Please, have a seat," he says, gesturing to the empty chair across from him. His voice is lower and warmer than you imagined from his on-screen performances, with the slightest Kumamoto accent peeking through. "I was just going over this new role—sometimes stepping back and looking at the bigger picture helps, don't you think?"